A Team of Heroes

[Gifted]

"Twenty years." Sasha spoke up before Banion could answer. Banion looked at her and she blushed. "Well, I mean... The group is twenty years old... in June... Banion's the only original member left, but..."

[Raven]

Wulf glanced at Banion. "Not a great record of survivors?"

[Gifted]

"Quite the contrary, considering the frequency of our missions. We go up against some of the most dangerous people in the world, Mr. Wulf. We can also be researchhed by anyone with an internet connection. Keeping these factors in mind, I'd say we take care of ourselves fairly well. Some sacrifices have to be made, but it is a price someone must pay."

[Raven]

"How frequent are your missions?" Wulf asked.

[Gifted]

"We tend to have around one a month, although it can vary significantly." Banion answered as everyone got on the helicopter.

[Raven]

Wulf followed, though it occurred to him how much he was leaving behind, he didn't hesitate. "How long have you all been part of this?"

[Gifted]

"Well, as for myself, I have been affiliated with the team since its founding twenty years ago." Banion answered. "Our founder Michael Norris was a dear friend of mine. After myself, our next most experienced veteran is the lovely miss Angélique Moreau." He gestured to a quiet blonde woman who'd curled up in the corner next to Banion. Upon having attention drawn to her, she blushed. "Bonjour Monsieur. Parez-vous français?" Her voice was soft, but her eyes looked up at him with a curious intensity.
"Unfortunately, she was never capable of grasping the English language." Banion added.

[Raven]

"That's French, right? Does she speak any other languages?" Wulf asked.

[Gifted]

Banion shook his head. "I know enough french to ensure she is kept on the same page as everyone else, and the team can untilise her information. She is insturmental to our operations, but it is a regrettable limitation."

[Raven]

"That is too bad," Wulf said. "I speak German and Russian fluently, and English okay."

[Gifted]

"Oh, ты говоришь по-русски?" Banion asked. "Much of the rest of the team is bilingual. Over the course of my existence I have acquired four additional languages in addition to my native English; German, Russian, Italian and French. I am currently putting my energy into acquiring Spanish as well, of which I am sure Lucas has many amusing stories." He gestured to the hispanic man who'd been so eager to talk earlier, and he laughed.
"Oh you should hear him butcher Spanish. It's hilarious." Lucas answered.

[Raven]

"Моя бабушка была русской. Она дала нам возможность учиться." Wulf clearly spoke Russian more easily than he spoke English, but he reverted for the sake of the rest of the team. "Having many languages is probably helpful."

[Gifted]

"I find languages to be one of the most useful skills anyone can learn. They open up whole other cultures and hundreds of years of art and history. It really is one of the most essential skills."

[Raven]

"I agree," Wulf said. "Learning to take care of yourself is important, too."

[Gifted]

Banion nodded. "Miss Moreau, unfortunately, never managed to acquire those skills. Still, she is an invaluable part of the team, and has been so for fourteen years."